this post was submitted on 11 Dec 2023
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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New to Linux, running Debian (if that matters), dot files are configuration files, yes? Do I need to explore each app/UI/program to figure out the possible options? Are there any universals in Linux? Across distros?

Thanks!

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[–] rufus@discuss.tchncs.de 10 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

If you use one of the standard graphical desktops (Gnome, KDE, ...) you don't need to explore all of the config files. The most important settings should be in a settings program.

And programs should (mostly) come with sane default settings anyways. Debian adds a few. So the usual way (for beginners) is to start with the defaults and change around stuff once you want to customize something, and starting with the software you use the most (like an text editor, ...). The standard GUI software (like your browser, LibreOffice) has GUI settings dialogues anyways.